THE LITTLE ONE GOES HOME. 
47 
the beautiful banana gardens, singing simple liymns, 
such as " I want to be an angel," " My Father waits for 
me in Heaven," &c. How we shrank from the thought of 
parting with our little treasure, increasingly dear as he 
faded away, and earnestly did we plead that he might 
yet be spared to us ; still we found comfort in the words 
which lifted our hearts to the better land. Happily no 
severe pain tried the fragile, worn-out body ; weakness 
and intense thirst were his chief sufferings, making him 
perpetually crave for drink, especially at night. One 
day, the sun shining very strongly upon our garden walk, 
we turned aside under the bananas, and the guard missing 
us from the usual place, reported it to Ageana, who at 
once ordered his son to fasten on our irons. Fortunately 
Bobie the other soldier appeared, and when we explained 
that vfe had only sought shelter for the child's sake, he 
succeeded in getting our chains removed, but we were 
peremptorily forbidden ever to take such a liberty again. 
Meanwhile, the little fellow's weakness increased, and 
the end was evidently at hand. At times he lay quite 
still, but painful restlessness succeeded. Kind people 
came constantly to inquire for him and offer sympathy, 
while the queen brought eggs and tried to comfort us 
with the assurance that if we saw the king, the child 
would recover. When I begged some palm oil for a 
night light, telling them he was dying, they still tried to 
console us saying, " No, no, he must not die ; the king 
will not allow it." Oh ! how hard it was to suppress the 
bitter feelings which would rise against those who had 
murdered this innocent babe by their cruelty ! To our 
surprise he lived till morning, when his eyes brightened ; 
he ate an egg with appetite, and even began playing with 
the buttons on his mother's jacket, which he had long 
ceased to notice. This was only the last flickering of the 
flame, he gave one more look of silent intensity, as if he 
